Stanford the big fish in Poseidon Handicap

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The $400,000 Poseidon Handicap was conceived to give the 12 slot-holders in Saturday’s $12 million Pegasus World Cup a race in which to run their second-string handicap horse – those who couldn’t quite make the cut for the main event.

But there’s nothing second string about Stanford, who may have been the third betting choice had he competed in the Pegasus World Cup. Instead, Stanford is expected to go postward the heavy favorite to defeat eight rivals in the 1 1/8-mile Poseidon. Also in the field are Stanford’s stablemate Madefromlucky and the 2016 Preakness runner-up, Cherry Wine.

Stanford is owned by the partnership of Coolmore and Stonestreet Stable. Coolmore entered into an agreement last month to sell its slot in the Pegasus to Juddmonte Farms, the owner of Arrogate.

Stanford had a breakthrough season in 2016, earning more than $900,000, the majority coming from his victory in the $1.25 million Charles Town Classic. He closed out the year on a winning note here last month, leading throughout for a three-length victory over Keen Ice in the Grade 3 Harlan’s Holiday. Stanford’s only poor performance in five starts during 2016 was his eighth-place finish behind runaway winner Frosted in the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap.

“The Met was kind of a weird race,” said trainer Todd Pletcher. “Frosted was unbelievable, but a lot of horses didn’t fire, and he was one of them. He was freshened at Stonestreet, trained really well before and after the Harlan’s Holiday, and he’s always run well here.”

Madefromlucky finished fourth, nearly six lengths behind Stanford, while making his first start since April in the 1 1/16-mile Harlan’s Holiday. Madefromlucky, 5, was a two-time Grade 2 winner at 3. Three of his four wins have come at nine furlongs.

“He didn’t have the smoothest of trips last time,” said Pletcher. “I think a mile and one-eighth will suit him better than a mile and one-sixteenth.”

Cherry Wine was a six-length winner last winter in his only local appearance. He rallied from far back to finish second, 3 1/2 lengths behind Exaggerator and a nose in front of Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist, over a wet track in the Preakness. He finished far back in four subsequent starts to close out the campaign, after which he underwent throat surgery that trainer Dale Romans hopes will turn his fortunes around in 2017.

“He couldn’t breathe, but he’s come back a new horse,” said Romans.

Cherry Wine has been training extremely well lately, posting a series of strong five-furlong works, including a bullet in 1:00.95 punctuated by a huge gallop-out Jan. 8.

Imperative was purchased privately by Loooch Racing Stables this month to compete in the Poseidon. Loooch Racing will be represented by War Story in the Pegasus. Imperative, who was turned over to trainer Bob Hess Jr., looked very good working six furlongs in 1:13.46 shortly after shipping from Southern California to Gulfstream last week.

Hy Riverside will make his third start in two weeks in the Poseidon, having won the Sunshine Millions Classic and finished fifth in the Grade 3 Hal’s Hope on each of the last two Saturdays. He was a distant fifth behind Stanford in the Harlan’s Holiday.

Mylute, Papa Zulu, Ranger in Paradise, and Fearless Dragon complete the field.

– additional reporting by Jay Privman